The wind howled past their ears. Zachary Justice strode atop the now-enlarged Radiant Starblade, with his two disciples and the pale-faced Troupe Master Jin trailing behind.
Troupe Master Jin had brought along a female ghost named Yvonne Yang. Though certain measures had been taken, her deep resentment could not be dispelled, and at present, Zachary Justice had no solution.
Underfoot, the Radiant Starblade was reforged using the power from the Starshard Radiance, its former incarnation being the Boundless Sword that had accompanied him for years.
Master Zachary Wu felt a vague unease. Though he didn’t know what Master and Junior Brother had discussed, he clearly heard his junior’s anguished cries. Behind him, Zhang Anle was silent and heavy-faced. He wanted to ask what was happening, but he knew neither Master nor Junior Brother would answer.
At that moment, Zhang Anle’s heart was cold. His gaze never left Zachary Justice’s back. Master had already made arrangements for what would come after, and he still couldn’t accept it—couldn’t accept the decision his Master had made. He neither understood nor could change anything now.
Unable to fly for long periods, the four bought swift horses in town after landing and rode on without pause.
After ten days of relentless travel, Zachary Justice and his two disciples arrived in Suzhou. That night, Zachary Justice went straight to the prefectural office.
"Master Taoist, those people are inside."
Zachary Justice gazed quietly at the wide-open, deserted gates of the prefectural office. His two disciples followed at his side. Just as he was about to step inside, Zachary Justice halted—he sensed something was off.
With a swish, Zachary Justice drew the Radiant Starblade and slashed forward. Instantly, countless dense blood-red characters appeared on the ground, dissolving gradually.
"Master, what is this?"
Zhang Wuju asked, and Zachary Justice shook his head.
"Impressive, Master Zachary, you detected the array I set up. Well done."
With a hearty laugh, Zachary Justice saw a man in a tattered Taoist robe, wearing a mask favored by children. A gust of wind blew in, and a red-faced figure leapt out.
Without hesitation, Zachary Justice raised the Radiant Starblade. He’d witnessed the fists of the Immortality Society before. Pressing both hands to his sword, he blocked the Red Mask Agent’s punch with a clang. Fist shadows assaulted him, and Zachary Justice soared into the air, golden light bursting from his body.
Thuds rang out as fists struck the golden barrier. Zachary Justice thrust his sword at the red-faced man’s brow, but his opponent flipped back through the air. With a crack, a golden chain shot out, and suddenly the masked Taoist flew over, forming a seal Zachary Justice had never seen before.
The golden chain wrapped around the red-faced man’s leg, dragging him over. The flying Taoist’s palm glowed with a streak of blood-red light.
Furious, Zachary Justice clapped his hands together, forming a seal. In an instant, the golden light transformed into a barrage of flying arrows.
With two screams, the opponents fell to the ground, spitting blood.
"Fellow Taoist, why do you associate with these evil ones? Who are they, really?"
Zachary Justice quietly observed everything around him. The others had no idea how much he truly knew about the Immortality Society—much more than they imagined. They’d targeted him from the start, but Zachary said nothing, letting his two disciples play along with the act.
"They’re just a group of stubborn people. Old Taoist, you’d best stay out of this. I advise you to return to your sect and focus on cultivation."
A woman appeared before them, wearing a golden mask shaped like half a fox. She lounged on the platform of the prefectural office, propping her chin with one hand and staring coldly at Zachary Justice.
"Master Wu, what brings you here?"
The red-faced man struggled to his feet, while the golden-masked Master Wu straightened up, her long hair stirring in the breeze.
"Since I’m out, I might as well have some fun."
With a swish, Zachary Justice tore off his Taoist robe, revealing numerous talismans and magical implements strapped to his body.
"Looks like I’ll be shedding blood here today."
"Taoist, your two disciples are quite talented for their age—especially the young one on the left. Let me tell you, what you know now is far from the whole truth. Heh."
Zhang Anle stared at Wu in shock, then glanced at his master. Zachary Justice sneered at Wu—they truly could see the darkness within people’s hearts.
"Master, stop wasting words with these people. The three of us should just..."
Zhang Wuju was about to speak when Zachary Justice cut him off.
"You two go to the ruined temple and bring the corpses back. Remember this: you brothers will one day stand on opposite sides. Try to avoid it—don’t let that day come."
Soon, only Wu and Zachary Justice remained in the ruined temple. Zachary’s heart burned with resolve. More than twenty years ago, the Boundless Taoist had warned: when you meet the golden-masked ones, run—never fight, or you’ll die. But now, Zachary Justice felt at peace.
Anle, Wuju, you two can do it—fulfill your own Tao, whether in darkness or in light.
"Taoist, you seem quite pleased. You’ve been investigating us for years, but even if you know, what can you do?"
Faced with Wu’s provocation, Zachary Justice laughed.
"Since I know your movements, I’ll deal with you evil ones myself."
Wu slowly descended to the ground, her gaze growing even colder.
"We’re quite interested in the bodies of Taoists like you—as well as your souls and primordial spirits. Taoist, after you die, I’ll take you back to the Immortality Society. Haven’t you always wanted to know our location? I’ll grant your wish."
With a swish, Wu tore off her long robe, revealing a tight black outfit. She drew a broken sword as long as her arm, gripping it with one hand.
"No fists?"
Wu shook her head.
"I was a swordsman from the day I was born—a cold-blooded, heartless executioner."
With a swish and a streak of black light, Zachary Justice moved swiftly, fingers forming a circle before him. A black blade flashed past, and Zachary landed, looking down at his chest to find a deep gash.
Wu was right behind him, smiling coldly.
"Not bad, Taoist. You’re truly strong—one of the best among humans. But in the end, you’re still only human."
"Not necessarily. Qian Kun Lock... Divine Weapon, by order of law..."
With two sharp cracks, two golden chains shot toward Wu. She dodged nimbly, but Zachary Justice immediately manipulated the chains to pursue her, running atop them. The Radiant Starblade in his hand glimmered like the stars, its blade sparkling with light.
"Being locked up seems troublesome, but let’s see, Taoist."
Wu hovered in the air as the two chains clattered, trying to ensnare her. Instantly, Wu slashed to both sides with her short blade, sending out two streaks of black sword light. With two clangs, Zachary Justice yanked the chains, dissolving the black light and wrapping Wu up. He immediately raised two fingers, stabbing toward Wu’s brow.
With a thud, Zachary Justice’s two fingers pressed against Wu’s brow.
"Years ago, a Taoist tried this same trick, leaving Mie paralyzed to this day. Heh, but I’m not him."
With a swish, the chains shattered, and Wu’s blade struck precisely at Zachary Justice’s raised hand.
With a clang, Wu’s eyes widened in surprise as a powerful force surged, splitting the air. She was shocked that her sword couldn’t cut Zachary’s hand—or rather, couldn’t pierce the golden-white aura on his body.
Zachary Justice quickly pulled out a golden talisman, swallowed it, and muttered an incantation. Wu immediately retreated.
With a roar, Zachary Justice inhaled deeply and exhaled a burst of golden flames at Wu. She tried to disperse the fire with her blade, but the black aura was quickly consumed.
Sizzling sounds filled the air as the flames engulfed Wu. Her body burned, eyes wide as she tried to escape, only to find a golden eight-trigram symbol beneath her feet. Zachary Justice landed, joined his hands, and began chanting, forming seals.
"Such speed... Taoist, you look barely over sixty, yet your cultivation is extraordinary."
Suddenly, Wu curled up and screamed.
"Ada..."
With a crash, a towering golden-masked figure over two meters tall burst from behind the office, mouth agape, devouring the flames that engulfed Wu. As Wu was freed, she stabbed at Zachary Justice.
With a buzz, a violent shockwave erupted, reducing the entire office to rubble and dispersing the golden array on the ground.
Zachary Justice plunged his sword into the ground, spreading his fingers wide. A golden aura formed at his chest, and Wu’s sword couldn’t move an inch.
Suddenly, Zachary Justice brought two fingers together with his left hand and lifted them. With a whoosh, the Radiant Starblade shot up from the ground. He grabbed it, blocked Wu’s sword, and golden light flared from his body as he stabbed Wu in the chest.
Wu’s short blade, knocked aside, dripped black liquid. She sneered, slowly twisting the blade in her hand.
"Swordspire... Heart Within..."
Zachary Justice felt his heart seize, eyes wide as darkness overcame him. It felt as if his whole body had been pierced. He spat blood and was flung to the ground with a crash. Wu pulled out the Radiant Starblade, tossed it aside, then dropped to one knee, glaring at the struggling Zachary Justice.